Preview
LIFE AT LAST
Friday, September 10
Alexandra Centre
By this point, the idea of praising the DIY capabilities of a young punk band seems about as played out as the idea of punk itself. It’s all been done before. But with Calgary metalcore band Life At Last, it just happens to be the case.
Before the band had even played their first show, they recorded demos. Now, barely 10 months into their career, they are ready to unleash their debut CD No Sense in Bleeding Now. Featuring blistering, heavy metal-tinted punk, it showcases not only the capable musical talents of the members, but their willingness to get the job done.
"The only thing we didn’t do was master the disc," says guitarist Todd McDonald. "I think that is one thing we are really proud of. We’ve been really independent as far as getting our own shows. We recorded our own demo. Now we have recorded our own seven-song CD."
It doesn’t hurt that the band has what they call a secret weapon in their midst. Guitarist Scott Bell runs Bones studios and, for the purpose of recording his own band, he relocated his gear to their jam space. Bell taught vocalist Jason Timms enough about the Protools recording system to run the mixing board and then the band spent a month and a half producing No Sense in Bleeding Now.
"It was a lot easier than going into an actual studio," says Timms.
"A lot cheaper too," adds McDonald.
And production is not the only area where Bell holds secret-weapon status. According to his bandmates, Bell is a jack of all trades. "Scott is the genius in the band," says McDonald, reeling off a list of talents that include piano, guitar, drums and vocals. On an album filled with breakneck time and tempo changes, heavy double-kick drum action and growling vocals, there is no lack of power. But as the album draws to a close Life At Last bust out of the shackles of metalcore with a beautiful piano solo. According to the band, that is Bell’s work, too.
"He’s really well-rounded and we thought it would be pretty cool if he did some piano or something," says McDonald.
"I figured that he would come up with something pretty basic – a few notes," says Timms. "We got there and he played this symphony for us."
Though the band is quick to give props to Bell, it should be noted that drummer Owen Serwright has co-designed the album art, and Timms and McDonald spend their time booking shows and helping out touring bands through their website www.roadbike.ca.
In fact, it seems like the only thing Life at Last has left to do is break out of the all-ages scene. To date they have only played four bar shows. However, despite the recent upheaval in the all-ages scene that came in the wake of losing the Carpenters Union Hall as a venue, the band remains confident in the under-18 crowd. Both McDonald and Timms seem thankful that the Alexandra Centre has opened its doors to all-ages crowds and as such they are happy to be holding their CD-release party there.
McDonald puts it simply. "All ages is definitely where we want to be." |
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